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(No Model.)

P.T.DODGE. I SPAGING DEVICE FOR LINOTYPE MACHINES.

Patented Aug. 11,- 1896.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP T. DODGE, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y.

SPACING DEVICE FOR LlNOTYPE-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,441, dated August11, 1896.

Application filed October 20, 1894. Serial No. 526,897. (No model.)

To all whom it 71mg concern.-

Be it known that I, PHILIP T. DODGE, of New York, county of New York,and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement inSpacing Devices for Linotype-Machines, of which the following is a ricesfor the purpose of spacing out or justifying the line to a predeterminedlength.

In the patent above referred to is represented an elongated spaceincreasing in thickness step by step from one end toward the other andcompressible in thickness to a limited extent, so that the justificationmay be approximately effected by thrusting the spaces endwise throughthe line of matrices until it is filled out to the proper length, anyvariation in the length which is thus attainable being effected by thecompression or expansion of the spaces or of those portions of thespaces which are in the line.

The object of the present invention is to provide a space having all theadvantages of that described in the patent and which at the same timeshall be cheaper to construct and better adapted to resist thedestructive effects of the molten metal which is flowed against itduring the casting operation.

To this end the invention consists of stepped spaces composed of aseries of laminae of sheet metal connected by rivets to hold them infixed relations.

In practice it is found that a space composed of several thicknesses ofmetal, While possessing considerable rigidity, is by reason of thenumber of joints between the layers compressible and expansible to alimited extent, an extent sufficient to admit of perfect justificationunder the system described and claimed in the above-mentioned patent.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improvedspace; Fig. 2, a cross-section of the same on the line 2 2 of Figs. 1and 3. Fig. 3 is alongitudinal section on the line 3 3 of Figs. 1 and 2.Fig. 4

is a cross-section illustrating a slight modification. Fig. 5 is a faceview illustrating the manner in which the spaces are used in connectionwith a line of matrices and in the compressing mechanism. Fig. 6 is avertical cross-section indicating the manner in which the spaces areemployed in connection with the casting mechanism.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, A represents my improved space in theform of an elongated bar increasing inthickness step by step from theupper to the lower end, its upper and thinner end being provided, in thepresent instance, with supporting-ears a, by which it is adapted for useinconnection with the composing and distributing mechanism of thewell-known Mergenthaler linotypemachine.

As shown in the drawings, the different lengths or sections of the spaceare joined 011 the outer surface by inclined shoulders a, leading fromeach section outward to the next thicker section. Each of the sectionsor thicknesses of the bar is constructed with its outer or opposite sidefaces parallel, so that the space consists in effect of a series ofshort spaces of different thicknesses joined end to end by the inclinedshoulders, each section or space being, however, of uniform thickness atall points in its length.

Instead of forming the space in one solid piece, it is composed ofseveral layers or sheets of metal 1 2 3 4, &c. I prefer to form theouter surfaces, as shown, by continuous sheets bent to form steps orshoulders. The inner or filling strips are made of different lengths.Each step or section contains a less number of layers or strips than thenext thicker section. To illustrate, the second step from the top mayconsist of three thicknesses, the two on the outside and the one in thecenter running entirely to the lower end. The next section will consistof four thicknesses, the fourth section, in addition to those abovenamed, starting in this section and running to the lower end. The nextsection contains an additional thickness, commencing therein and alsorunning to the lower end.

The main feature of the invention is in the employment of a series ofmetallic sheets or layers so united that they will present jointly aspace, the edge of which is adapted to resist the action .of moltenmetal and which is,

as a whole, compressible to a slight extent. I commonly unite theseveral layers by means of rivets, as shown at B. In some cases it isadvisable to construct a space of reduced thickness at the middle inorder that the outer or thicker edges shall bear against the adjacentmatrices in the line. This is effected by cutting out or slotting one ormore of the layers longitudinally, as shown in Fig. 4, so that the outerplates may be compressed or drawn together at the middle, as shown.

In making use of my spaces their thinner ends are first inserted in theline of matrices C, as shown in Fig. 5, and either during or after thecomposition of the line is effected. J ustification is eifected bythrusting all or part of the spaces through the line endwise until theypresent an increased thickness therein. If the length to be added to theline to perfect justification is such that it is not exactly filled bythe spaces in their normal condition, the justification is completedeither by forcing in the spaces until the line exceeds its properlength, and thereafter applying compression to the; line to reduce it tothe proper length, or by confining the line within the proper limits oflength and then forcing the spaces through while it is thus confined,and in this manner compressing the spaces and crowding them to theirplaces.

In Fig. 5, D and E represent two jaws or clamps for confining orlimiting the length of the matrix-line. The jaw 1) maybe fixed and thejaw E moved in any suitable mannerfor example, by a link cl, connectedby a lever 61', mounted on a fixed fulcrum and operated by means of agrooved cam-wheel d engaging a stud on its end.

Fig. 6 illustrates the manner in which a line of matrices and spaces arepresented across the mouth of the mold F, which is supplied with moltenmetal from the mouth of the metal-pot G through the action of apump-plunger H, as in the ordinary Mergenthalcr machine.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A compressiblespace consisting solely of metal laminae laid directly togetherthroughout their length to form a practically solid body substantiallyas described.

2. An elongated stepped space consisting of a series of fiat metallayers placed directly in contact throughout their operative portions.

3. A compressible metal space consisting of outer layers bent to formsteps therein and intermediate metallic layers, of different lengthsseated in the interior substantially as described.

4. A stepped metallic space consisting of laminae of different lengthslaid together di rectly throughout their length and united by rivets,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 11th day of October,189i, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

PIIILIP T. DODGE. lVitnesses:

WV. R. KENNEDY, F. S. ELMORE.

